Healthcare Reform: What does it mean for providers and suppliers?
Posted by Colleen Terry on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 @ 07:51 AM
The bill has been signed, yet the country is divided on the methods, outcome, and success of bringing affordable healthcare to all. So, what do providers and suppliers think? How will the reform affect their bottom line?
While the landmark legislation promises to bring healthcare to some 32 million currently uninsured, the heated question remains how much this benefit will cost the individual consumer and industry --notably pharmaceutical and medical suppliers. For providers, the reform potentially means more customers with the resources to pay for services rendered and supplies used. With reimbursements a troubling concern for many hospitals, the reform may alleviate some of the financial pressures for hospitals administering care to the uninsured. Yet, how much will caring for this influx of newly insured cost the provider? A potentially dramatic increase in customers requires more clinicians, more space, and more supplies. What are hospital administrators saying? How will clinicians be affected by the reform?
Meanwhile, healthcare suppliers have been quite vocal in their concerns, as it appears they may bear the brunt of the cost through increased taxes on drugs and devices. The supplier fear and concern is that this legislation may very well stifle innovation --as the imposed tax is likely to have devastating affects on smaller drug manufacturers and medical device suppliers--and potentially threaten patient safety and care. Do the suppliers see any good in this reform?
There is still so much to learn and understand about the impending legislation that most lay people are taking a wait and see attitude. Want to weigh in on the discussion? Share your views here.